News

Sacramento Reaches Deal on Charter Schools

Mon, 09/2/2019

Gov. Gavin Newsom and California lawmakers have finally agreed on the most comprehensive set of charter school regulations to date. The compromise will bring a years-long debate over charter school growth and accountability to a temporary halt, pending passage by the legislature and approval from the governor.

“School districts for the first time would be able to consider the financial and academic impact on the district or neighborhood of a new charter school or a charter school that wants to expand,” EdSource’s John Fensterwald reports. “Districts like Oakland Unified that could show they are under fiscal distress will be able to deny any proposed charter from opening.”

Additionally, charter operators must provide justification for the creation of a new charter school. The charter school renewal process would also change to a more merit-based system.

While the California Charter Schools Association was opposed to the initial language of AB 1505, it is now taking a neutral stance. One of the major changes that assuaged the group was language preserving the right to appeal charter school denials to the county office of education.

The new version of the bill also contains a key compromise on charter teacher credentialing.